Dinesh Z. Shah
Similar to celebrations in India and other parts of the world on the same day, Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated at the new JVB Centre in London on Tuesday, 11th April 2006.
Youth teachers of JVB London, Anika Choraria (left) & Shruti Sethia, commenting the Bathing Ceremony of Bhagavan Mahavir
The function started with the recitation of Magalacharan by Ms Arti Bhandari. This was followed by a short play about the Mahavir Swami's auspicious bathing ceremony on Mt. Meru, carried there by Lord Indra following his birth.
JVB London children performed a programme about the auspicious bathing ceremony of bhagavan Mahavir on Mount Meru by Gods & Goddesses
The performers whose age ranged from 2 to over 20 years are students of JVB Sunday School. Mrs. Sayer Choraria then presented prizes to all the participants.
Akhil Mehta (left) is taking gift from Sayer Choraria (second right) and Pushpa Banthia (right), chairperson of JVB London's Women's Wing
Any parent would be proud to see their children attired in colourful costumes and performing with so much confidence. Mrs.Varshaben Shah and Ms Tripti Shah deserve a lot of credit for this performance. They together with Samani Punya Pragyaji are inculcating these young people with the qualities and values of Jainism.
Credit for the wonderfullly costumed performance goes to Mrs. Varshaben Shah and Ms Tripti Shah
H.H. Acharya Mahapragya keeps on hammering the point that Jain community worldwide has to work in unison if we want the western world to understand the true philosophy of Jain religion. Samani Pratibha Pragyaji since her arrival in London three years ago has never lost sight of this mission statement. Members of Navyug Pragati Mandal joined hands with JVB London in holding joint celebrations of Mahavir Jayanti. They recited beautiful Stavans in Hindi and Gujarati ably assisted by a tabla player. As a further example of this type of co-operation the Samanijis participated in Mahavir Jayanti celebrations held by Navnath Vanik Association, Young Jains and Jain Samaj Manchester.
Samanijis Pratibha & Punya Pragyaji (middle) watching with the audience of about 200 people the children's performance
The JVB Women's Wing since its inception nearly two years ago has been at the forefront of many programmes and projects in the United Kingdom. Two of its most notable projects were the staging of Chandanbala Play and publication of Mantra Calendar 2006. It has now taken on another huge stride in launching on Mahavir Jayanti a Chittasamaadhi Group for senior citizens. Samani Punya Pragyaji and Mrs Manjuji Sethia were put in overall charge of this project. Acharya Mahapragya sent a special message on this occasion:
| Message of His Holiness Acharya Mahaprajna Chittasamaadhi - the state of peaceful consciousness - is a supreme word in the dictionary of spiritualism. Anger, fear, lament, worries, hate and amorous sexual desires, all these conditions lead to instability. Chittasamaadhi is attainable by people with cool temperament and placid attitude. Conversely, those who have controlled anger and fury and other emotional situations attain this state. Wealth and material achievements cannot give Chittasamaadhi. It can only be achieved by purification of the soul. To purify the soul, one has to learn and practice to control ones emotions. One who has attained the state of Chittasamaadhi will always be in a state of bliss irrespective of external adversities. It is no coincidence that the launch today in London of Chittasamaadhi Group, in the presence of Samani Pratibha Pragyaji and Samani Punya Pragyaji, falls on the auspicious day of Mahavir Jayanti. The philosophy espoused by the twenty forth Thirathakara is a mirror image of the qualities required for the attainment of the state Chittasamaadhi. 10th April 2006, Chandigarh, Punjab, India. |
Samani Pratibha Pragyaji conducted a group recitation of a Mahavir Swami Mantra. She then explained the significance of Tirthankar Mahavir's birth anniversary and the need for Lord Mahavir's message to be used as an instrument in bringing wider interfaith understanding following the events of 9/11 and 7/7 and other continuing conflicts in various parts of the world.
Samani Punya Pragya then recited a Mahavir Swami hymn in her inimitable melodious voice.
Dr Jayanti Shah on behalf of Navyug Pragati Mandal thanked Jain Vishva Bharati London on giving them the opportunity to participate in the celebrations. Mr. Sampat Sethia on behalf of JVB London responded by saying that we are putting into practice Acharya Mahaprajna's message of bringing down the barriers of divisions. He thanked everyone for coming to this function and also Mr. Rajesh Bhandari for being the master of ceremonies.
The chanting by the congregation of Lord Mahavir's arti followed by a recitation of Mangal Patha by both the Samanijis concluded the programme.
See also webpage of inaphoto.com for all wonderful photos of the divers celebrations for Mahavir Jayanti in the London Jain community:
http://www.inaphoto.com/album.php?album_id=36&page=1 and http://www.inaphoto.com/album.php?album_id=37